Barrier Island Evolution in Response to Sea-Level Change

Location: St. Vincent Island, NW Florida (Franklin County)

Description: We are studying the relatively undisturbed barrier islands of the NE Gulf of Mexico with the goal of understanding how small-scale changes in sea level during the late Holocene have interacted with sediment supply to effect geomorphologic change. St. Vincent Island is a unique strandplain comprising more than 100 beach ridges, each representing the island shoreline as the island has advanced into the Gulf of Mexico. We have been using optical dating (OSL) to develop a detailed history of island development and response to sea-level change.

Faculty Involved: Dr. Joseph Donoghue (EOAS), grad students

Filed Under: Climate Sciences

The Florida Climate Institute (FCI) is a multi-disciplinary network of national and international research and public organizations, scientists, and individuals concerned with achieving a better understanding of climate variability and change.